Cleaning bed linen might appear to be amongst the most straightforward chores. However, errors can leave sheets feeling less hygienic and less pleasant, and reduce their longevity. This can lead to poor-quality sleep, skin problems, and unpleasant odours.
Five Common Washing Mistakes to Avoid
From using excessive detergent to selecting the wrong temperature, many common laundry practices keep sheets from feeling as crisp as they should. Fortunately, Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap and a laundry specialist, has identified five common errors to avoid.
Only Washing Sheets When Visibly Dirty
The specialist said: "Unfortunately, people don't wash their sheets as regularly as they let on; some even wash them every four months." "Waiting until your sheets are visibly dirty can allow for germs, sweat and dirt to build up over time, which not only affects the condition of your sheets, but isn't great for health either." As a general guideline, the specialist advised laundering sheets every fortnight to maintain them in optimal condition.
Not Checking the Label
Deyan clarified: "Whilst this one may seem obvious, people don't check the labels of their sheets and just assume that they require the same cycle as their towels or clothes. This often isn't the case for sheets, as each type of material has different washing requirements." For example, cotton sheets are best washed at lower temperatures, polyester fabrics can handle warm washes of 40C, whereas delicate fabrics like silk or stain should be washed in cold water up to 30C. "It's also worth noting that if you've been sick, a one-off hot wash at 60°C once you're feeling better can kill off any leftover germs on your sheets." Certain materials should also never be ironed or placed in the tumble dryer, and all these details can be found on the care label. Deyan continued: "If you follow the instructions, you'll wash your bedsheets as efficiently and keep them crisp and clean."
Overdrying Bedding
While it's pleasant to place fresh sheets on the bed straight from the tumble dryer, leaving them in the appliance for an extended period can regrettably cause them to shrink. To prevent this, the laundry specialist advised drying them naturally on a drying line or rack, ideally outdoors for "better results".
Washing Them with Clothes and Towels
The specialist stated: "You may think that chucking your sheets into your washing machine with a few towels or thick clothes might not make much of a difference, but it does in the long run. Every material has a different washing process and needs enough room to circulate and rinse properly. Adding different fabrics into this cycle can create added friction, wearing down your sheets or causing bobbling. Equally, zippers or buttons could get snagged and cause tearing. It's best to run cycles specifically for your sheets to give them enough time to be washed properly."
Adding Too Much Detergent
A significant laundry error involves using excessive detergent. This can not only damage fibres, but may also lead to holes and rips in fabric. Deyan advised using two tablespoons of regular detergent for a full load, or one all-in-one laundry capsule. He explained: "This will reduce wear and tear over time, leaving you with clean sheets for longer."
